Architect Led Real Estate Developers
As architect led real estate developers, we leverage our design and development expertise simultaneously to perform a higher-level of due diligence on development sites. We deliver real estate products that are both contextually appropriate and economically viable. Traditional real estate developers do not have the skill sets to compete for the same opportunities.
Magic Animals is a vertically integrated design, development and construction company. We will manage all aspects of pre-development and construction. This includes deferring a portion of our fees as sweat equity to lower capital costs. We seek partners for the acquisition of land and additional capital necessary to secure a permit and construction loan.
Competitive Advantage
Combine Expertise to Create Efficiency
Magic Animals combines development, architecture, and construction. They defer development fees until later stages of the project, lowering initial capital requirements and aligning interests with all stakeholders. This innovative financial approach makes projects more viable and attractive to investors
Develop By-Right
By leveraging their deep understanding of municipal codes, Magic Animals increases density and reduces costs without requiring discretionary reviews or additional entitlements
Identify the Overlooked
Magic Animals focuses on undervalued sites that average developers overlook, creating a niche market with less competition
Drive Value via Placemaking & Sustainability
The team employs cutting-edge sustainable materials and design strategies, such as cross-laminated timber and optimizes indoor-outdoor connections, creating buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also command higher sales values
Markets
San Diego, CA
San Diego has a critically low inventory of housing and an historically high value for housing and homes. Magic Animals seeks out overlooked properties in walkable communities and develops small and medium scale multi-family residential buildings. Their history and understanding of the local market, municipal code, and construction costs coupled with access to consultants and financing uniquely positions them to develop projects that are responsive to the market. Magic Animals seeks development that will serve as a model for future investment opportunities for small-scale, infill development in San Diego and beyond
There are few markets better than San Diego for infill development
Portland, OR
Portland has historically been a leader in progressive zoning policies that encourages small and medium scale infill development, including the elimination of single family zoning and approval of cottage clusters. Magic Animals believes that neighborhoods in Southeast as well as North Portland present ample opportunity for the deployment of these policies utilizing the Architect as Developer model to create both for sale and for rent infill housing.
The future of infill development in Portland is bright
Team
Brandon Blakeman, AIA
Brandon is an AIA award winning Architect and creative entrepreneur with a passion for infill multi-family housing and civic spaces that improve social conditions.
Brandon realized early in his career that architecture and development models have not evolved with the needs of modern society, specifically as it relates to housing needs. He founded Magic Animals to integrate the Architect, developer, client, and contractor into one company, restructuring the traditional model of design and development. Within this framework, Brandon can create value and reduce capital costs by deferring fees that would typically flow out of the project during pre-development This progressive development model creates projects that are valuable assets to the community while reducing stakeholder risk. Brandon invites those with aligned values to partner with him through capital investments.
Brandon received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a Masters of Science in Real Estate Development for Architects degree from Woodbury University.
Brandon is a licensed Architect in California, Oregon and Washington
Shawn Benson
Shawn Benson is an award winning designer and licensed General Contractor whose expertise lands firmly between the design & build processes. His 20+ years work experience in construction, fabrication and design have allowed him to pursue niche projects ranging from concept retail in Las Vegas and New York to boutique high end single family residences in Coastal California.
In 2010, his aptitude landed opportunities to pursue prefab avenues for development. Working with Champion Homes, he and his partners developed a noted undevelopable lot in Ocean Beach utilizing the new Small Lot Subdivision ordinance and a modified prefab construction process. He also worked with the Foundry, a startup modular builder in San Diego, to institute simplified modular production systems and organizational design + build strategies for their first project, a single family residential subdivision in Tahoe CA.
Shawn received his Bachelor of Art, Management & Organizational Communications degree from Point Loma Nazarene University, a Masters of Architecture degree from Newschool of Architecture and a Masters of Science in Real Estate Development for Architects degree from Woodbury University
Shawn is a licensed General Contractor in California